Insurance Policies

Florida Misdemeanor Pretrial Diversion Program

Florida Misdemeanor Pretrial Diversion Program – The Florida Legislature has long recognized the need to identify and divert some offenders to specialized programs. Florida Statutes created a cooperative effort between the State Attorney’s Office and selected agencies to divert appropriate first-time offenders to these programs.

One such program is the Misdemeanor Pretrial Diversion Program (PDP), which offers qualified misdemeanor offenders an alternative to formal criminal prosecution. Each participant signs a contract with the State of Florida which waives their right to a speedy trial, and in which they agree to comply with the program requirements and perform specific sanctions. Participants are normally supervised six (6) months to twelve (12) months depending upon the offense. In return for successful completion of the program and listed sanctions, the State agrees to drop the participant’s criminal charges in that specific case, which enables them to avoid a conviction and ultimately a criminal record. All referrals to Misdemeanor PDP must originate with a recommendation by the Florida Office of the State Attorney.

The program requirements include the payment of all applicable program fees and costs of prosecution.

Payment of program fees of:
$360.00 – 6 months or less
$560.00 – 9 months
$720.00 – 12 months
(NOTE: PRETRIAL DIVERSIONIS A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM, FUNDED ENTIRELY BY THE FEES PAID BY THE PARTICIPANTS. THEREFORE, FEES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REDUCTION OR WAIVER.)

Payment of $50.00 cost of prosecution fee

Additional sanctions appropriate to each offense or to address the needs of the individual participant may include, but are not limited to:

Payment of restitution to the victims in the case (if any)

No contact or un-consented contact with victim, if deemed necessary

Payment of cost of investigation fees to the law enforcement agency (if any)

Regular (at least monthly) contact with a Criminal Justice Officer

Community service hours at an approved agency (minimum of 32 hours with insurance fee paid by participant)

Psychological or Psychiatric evaluation and any treatment recommended, at participant’s own expense

Alcohol and/or substance abuse evaluation and any treatment recommended, at the participant’s own expense

AA or NA meeting attendance, if deemed appropriate

Random Drug/Alcohol testing, at the participant’s own expense

Educational classes such as:

26 week Batterers Intervention Program (domestic violence cases)

Anger Management

Parenting and Child Rearing Skills

Retail Theft

Life Skills

Adult Education/GED

Victim Awareness Program

HIV Awareness Program

In addition to the PDP program outlined above, the Office of the State Attorney also has a WORTHLESS CHECK DIVERSION PROGRAM. That program has an administrator and provides an opportunity for first-time worthless check offenders to avoid formal court proceedings by paying restitution to the victims, including service charges and administrative fees, and completing a Financial Responsibility Class. Once all sanctions are successfully completed, the criminal worthless check charges are dropped.

SC Non-Owner SR22 Insurance Discount Tricks

SC Non-Owner SR22 Insurance Discount Tricks – If you frequently rent a car or borrow someone else’s car and want protection for when you drive it, you may qualify for a Non-Owner policy at a discount of up to 25%. This will provide the proof of auto insurance the state requires and will provide liability only coverage on any non-owned vehicles you drive.

If you are an existing customer, please call Customer Service at 636-410-6219, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT, or email anytime at info@selectinsuranceteam.com to see if you qualify for this discount.

If you are a new customer, please call 855-GET-SELECT (855-438-7353),8:00 AM – 8:00 PM CT, 7 days a week to see if you qualify.

You can also get a free car insurance quote from Select Insurance Group and start driving legal today. We offer low down payments and easy monthly payment plans to get you on the road for less. It’s legal, cheap, and easy!¹

¹Consult with an attorney to determine whether it is illegal to drive without insurance in your state. Prices vary based upon the state where you reside, the minimum limits you purchase, and other underwriting factors.SC

Getting Out Of A Minor In Possession Violation In Missouri

Getting Out Of A Minor In Possession Violation In Missouri – Under Missouri law it is a misdemeanor for anyone under the age of twenty-one to purchase, attempt to purchase, or have in his or her possession any intoxicating liquor; to be visibly in an intoxicated condition; or to have a detectable blood alcohol content of more than two-hundredths of one percent.

In 2005, Missouri law was expanded to include so called “possession by consumption”, providing that prosecutors no longer needed to show that a minor actually purchased or possessed alcohol. Now merely appearing visibly intoxicated, or having a detectable B.A.C. will constitute a violation, even if there is no evidence of actual possession.

Many charges for Minor in Possession, also arise under the laws of individual cities, including Columbia, Missouri. The elements required to commit the offense are often almost identical to the State law, but there are often significant differences in the range of punishments available to the Prosecutor.

Remember: you do not need to operate a motor vehicle, or be over the State legal limit to be convicted of Minor in Possession. The fact that:

You are younger than twenty-one (21) years of age at time of the violation; and

Had physical possession of alcohol; or

Attempted to purchase alcohol; or

Had detectable amounts of alcohol in your breath, blood, or saliva

may be sufficient to convict you of violation of the State of City Minor in Possession laws.

Abuse and Lose: Will I Lose My License?

Under Missouri’s Abuse and Lose law, 577.500 RSMo, charges for Minor in Possession, False Identification, or Drug Possession, can now impact your right to operate a motor vehicle, regardless of whether a vehicle was involved in your underlying offense. Currently, the application of the Abuse and Lose law turns on how your charge is filed. In the large majority of first time offenses, a skilled attorney will be able to avoid ramifications for your license.

Potential license suspensions include:

First Offense: up to 90 days suspension.

Second Offense: 90 days suspension, or 1 year revocation.

Third Offense: 1 year revocation.

Remember: How the charge is written will largely determine the potential for license suspension or revocation. Often, the same set of facts that could potentially impact your drivers license can be charged so as not to take you off the road at all!

Criminal Punishment: Will I Go to Jail?

Violation of the Missouri Minor in Possession law can be punished by a fine of up to $1,000.00, or imprisonment in the County Jail for up to 1 year. As a practical matter, however, the majority of convictions will receive punishments significantly below these maximums. Jail sentences for minor in possession convictions are rare, unless there is some special or extraordinary circumstance.

An experienced attorney can often minimize or avoid these punishments altogether. Through proper negotiation and strategy, it is often possible to serve probation in lieu of fines or imprisonment. As an added bonus, successful completion of such probation will often prevent any record of the underlying offense! It is therefore possible to come out of your ordeal with NO CRIMINAL RECORD!

Your Legal Rights!

Remember: You have a Constitutional right to the assistance of an attorney to defend against a minor in possession charge! An experienced attorney will be able to determine:

Whether your acts in fact violated the law or ordinance in your Jurisdiction;

Whether your constitutional rights to be free of unreasonable search and seizure were respected;

Whether your drivers license is at risk, and what can be done to protect it;

Whether you are entitled to an affirmative defense excusing you from liability; and

Whether despite guilt you are entitled to probation in lieu of conviction and thereby clean criminal record.

How long does a DUI stay on your record in California?

Getting a DUI off Your Driving Record

How long does a DUI stay on your record in California? In California, a DUI stays on your driving record with the DMV for 10 years. This record can be seen by law enforcement officers as well as within the DMV. It is used by the DMV to make decisions about your driver’s license such as whether you are eligible to reinstate a suspended license.

The bad news is that there is no way to remove a DUI from your driving record. The good news is, this record is not included in a background check and cannot be seen by potential employers. It does not count as a criminal record (although a DUI also goes on your criminal record—see below). It is used almost exclusively by the DMV.

Previously, California law kept a DUI on your driving record only 7 years. This was changed in 2007. If you have any past DUI conviction, even from before the law changed, it will now stay on your record the full 10 years. In the future, the period could be even longer.

The 10 years starts from the date of your arrest.

DUI “Points” on Your Driver’s License

California driver’s licenses use a “point” system to track risky behavior. All drivers start with 0 points, but may acquire points for certain infractions—like speeding, or DUI—or for causing an accident.

Points hurt you in two ways. For one thing, they affect your insurance rates. More points mean higher car insurance bills. Additionally, they can cost you your license. Your license will be suspended if:

Unfortunately, DUI points also take the longest to get off your license. Points from a DUI stay on for 13 years. There is no way to shorten this period.

But you can reduce your total points in other ways. Points from traffic tickets, for example, can sometimes be removed if you agree to go to traffic school. You can look up DMV approved traffic schools here.

Previous DUI’s and New DUI Charges

Any DUI charge on your record also affects future DUI penalties. California state law assigns different penalties for a first, second, and third+ DUI. Each one is more serious than the one before it. To compute this, any DUI within the last 10 years counts as a previous charge.

For example, let’s say you’re facing a DUI charge right now. You already have one previous DUI conviction. If that previous conviction was 8 years ago, it will count against you, and the new charges are a “second” DUI. If the previous conviction was from 11 years ago, however, they do not count. Your new DUI is treated as a first offense.

There is no way to shorten this period. Again, the 10 years is counted from the date of your arrest.

Expunging a DUI from Your Criminal Record

The last place where a DUI is recorded is on your criminal history. In California a DUI is not just a traffic violation, it is a criminal offense—usually a misdemeanor, but sometimes a felony depending on the circumstances. You have to disclose your criminal history when you apply for jobs or professional licenses, and it can be held against you.

Normally, a DUI stays on your criminal record permanently. However, you may be able to have it expunged. You are eligible to expunge a DUI if:

You have already served all penalties, including probation

Your sentence did not involve state prison (as opposed to jail time)

You are not currently facing any other criminal charges

If these all apply to you, a California DUI attorney can help you expunge your DUI. They will file a request to expunge. The prosecutor’s office may or may not oppose the expungement, in which case your attorney can fight for you. There will be a hearing and, in most cases, the expungement will be approved.

Once a DUI is expunged, it is no longer part of your criminal record. You can apply for jobs with a “clean” criminal history and do not have to disclose your DUI. However, the DUI will still count as a past charge if you are arrested for a new drunk driving charge.

The short answer is that a DUI stays on your driving record for 10 years in California, and stays on your criminal record permanently. However, the full story is a little more complex. There are a number of records that a DUI affects, and you can take action to change some of them.

5 Ways to Find the Right Auto Insurance Coverage on a Budget

5 Ways to Find the Right Auto Insurance Coverage on a Budget – Finding cheap Auto Insurance in your state that gives you cover you need isn’t easy, especially with so many car insurance companies around. They may tell you theirs is the cheapest car insurance around, but is it the best car insurance for you?

At Select Insurance Group, you could get the cover you need for a lot less than you’d expect to pay simply by shopping your coverage with over 15 carriers. And don’t just take our word for it. *You can quickly see what our customers said they saved by switching to Select Insurance Group.

If you’re serious about getting a cheap auto insurance quote with some great policy options, get a car insurance quote online from us today.

Here are some tips for saving money on your auto insurance:

Shop around. A Trusted Choice® independent insurance agent like Select Insurance Group can help you get quotes from multiple insurance carriers to make sure you are getting the best rates available.

Bundle your policies. Most insurance companies offer discounts if you purchase more than one policy from them. And the more policies you have (homeowners, car, boat, motorcycle, personal umbrella, etc.), the greater your discount.

Maximize discounts. Insurance companies usually offer a wide variety of discounts, such discounts for multiple policies, safe driving, and good students. Your agent will work with you to ensure that you receive any discounts that you qualify for.

Choose higher deductibles. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium. If you think you will have enough cash to cover your deductible if you have to file a claim, consider a higher deductible to lower your rates.

How To Beat A Breathalyzer Machine

How To Beat A Breathalyzer Machine – The most commonly asked question on my website, and probably the internet when it comes to Driving Under the Influence charges, is, without a doubt, “How do I beat the Breathalyzer machine?

Eating your own underwear – Why? Is the first question that comes to mind. Why would anyone in their right mind try such a ridiculous method? Well, for the man who tried it, this was’t such a bad idea. Presumably, he was hoping that the cotton would absorb the alcohol in his stomach thus lowering his BACresult. You can’t make this up, folks. Unfortunately for him, by the time he got to the station, not only did the cotton in his stomach did not do anything for the alcohol that was already in his blood, he looked ridiculous because of the hole in his pants. The Breathalyzer test gathers deep lung, or alveolar, air. So, after a few hours of drinking, followed by a few minutes of eating cotton will not do you any good. Thanks for playing.

UPDATE: Eating toilet paper – This is a new one, folks! One man tried to eat toilet paper in the hopes of cheating the breathalyzer machine. Unfortunately, as is stated in number (1) above, the machine is designed to test alveolar air, and therefore his attempt to cover the alcohol with toilet paper would not work; it may just mask the smell or at least absorb any mouth alcohol. Nice try, but you fail.

UPDATE #2: Eating your own shirt – Here is another doozy, friends.. One woman tried to eat her own shirt in order to avoid a DUI after she attempted to run away from the police and passively resist arrest. When the breathalyzer technician instructed her not to put anything in her mouth, as he is probably required by state law and after she agreed to take the breathalyzer test, the woman”stuffed a large portion of her shirt into her mouth and began chewing at the fabric.” Although it would not have much of an effect on her breathalyzer result, more than likely it did earn her a ‘refusal’ mark on the breathalyzer due to her once more ‘passive’ resistance, and secured a lack of an Intoxilyzer number for the State. So, can we call that kind of a win?

Eating your own feces – O.K., first off, disgusting. I can’t even. But, a man in March, 2005 tried it. And failed. Not only did he fail, but he will now forever be remembered as the man who ate his own feces. Good luck to you, buddy.

Eating smelly foods to overpower the alcohol scent – While it may not be such a bad idea to throw the cop’s scent off the booze trail, it is completely and utterly useless for a Breathalyzer machine. The inner sample chamber is mechanically calibrated to detect any presence of ethanol (along with some other substances depending on the amount of filters installed, etc., which could artificially inflate your BAC result). The device is so sensitive, in fact, that it has a “mouth alcohol” detector, so if you have alcohol present in your mouth, the machine should return an error. The fact that these detectors never work is besides the point, but they’re there. So, fail.

Drinking Zima instead of “real” drinks – Seriously? Well, apparently so. Some teenagers believed that could do the trick. I guess under the erroneous belief that there are different “kinds” of alcohol since Zima doesn’t make your breath smell as bad. Alcohol is alcohol, no matter what it tastes or smells like. You are the weakest link, goodbye.

Sucking on a penny – The idea behind this popular myth is that the copper in the penny will neutralize the alcohol. Well, similar to (5) above, the alcohol is not coming from your mouth. I am not sure about the reaction that occurs when alcohol meets copper, but I can tell you the penny won’t protect you from the alcohol in your lungs. Furthermore, according to at least one source, pennies are no longer made of copper. It is now 97.5 percent zinc and 2.5 percent copper. So even if copper would have been helpful, its negligible quantity in the penny would require a plethora of them — you can bet the officers will notice your scheme and quickly stop it.

Using Listerine or some other mouthwash – Worst. Idea. Ever. Why? Because nearly all mouth washes contain, what? That’s right — Alcohol! So you are combating the presence of alcohol in your body — with more alcohol! What if your result would have been less than 0.08, initially? Well, you’ve just secured a certain trip to the jailhouse because you will most likely blow way above 0.08 due to all the fresh alcohol in your mouth. Mouth alcohol detectors rarely, if ever, work. Explaining it to the cop won’t do you any good. Nice try.

Chewing gum – Now here is a good trick to throw off the cop (if you can hold your liquor). May be he’ll let you go if he can’t smell alcohol and you look fine to him. However, again, like numbers (5) and (8), above, the gum does not alter the workings of the inner chamber inside the breathalyzer machine. Depending on the gum, it may end up “helping” you as much as a mouth wash, due to their containing alcohol.

Inhaling instead of blowing – Nope. The machine has pressure detectors in place to detect if air is being blown in. You will succeed in making the officer angry, though. Not sure if that is what you want..

Burping, belching, or regurgitating – This will bring up alcohol from your stomach content into your mouth, which will in turn elevate your BAC levels. Sorry, try again.

Smoking a cigarette will mask the alcohol – Actually, it will likely elevate your BAC result due to the fact that some breathalyzers may be affected by acetaldehyde (the chemical that is released in cigarette smoke when sugars, sorbitol, and glycerol are burnt.)

Eating peanut butter – This one is at the bottom of the list because it is the closest thing to something that could work (if you could wash your lungs with it). It is true that the high levels of sodium, which can be found in peanut butter, will neutralize ethanol by creating two byproducts – sodium ethoxide (also known as alkoxide) and hydrogen gas. But, again, the problem is that the peanut butter travels from the mouth into your stomach, completely bypassing the lungs — where the alveolar air, which is full of alcohol, is about to come from and be tested by the machine. This would be a great trick to eliminate mouth alcohol. Also, good luck getting your hands on some peanut butter at the police station — or getting it in your mouth with your hands handcuffed behind your back. I don’t think this method is in your cards.

Now, let’s see what may work (some of these options are completely theoretical):

Blowing just the necessary length of time and stopping – If you are truly in a pickle and think you did not have that much to drink, and you are afraid to lose your license, and you believe that enough time has elapsed, although this goes against every rule in the book — blow just enough to where the machine registers the fact that you’ve blown, and not a millisecond longer (good luck with that timing). Well, why is that? The officer is interested in you blowing as long as possible. That will ensure an artificially elevated result, even if you’re under the limit (how else can you explain the plethora of DUIs where the person legitimately drank 1-2 beers and blows a 0.12.) The longer you blow, the more alcohol enters the sample chamber of the machine, and the more molecules of ethanol are captured by the Intoxilyzer 5000EN’s detector via the process of infrared absorption. If you blow just the right amount of time, you can at least keep the number low and more in line with what you should be registering (in theory — as these machines have a lot of other problems). You’ll of course have to learn what sounds the machine makes when a sufficient sample is provided, as the officer will want you to continue to blow. Again, this method, although possible to at least keep you in the right range, is laden with difficulties. I DO NOT recommend it.

Hyperventilating or exercising – This could work, but the problem is that you won’t be able to breathe out all of the alcohol — that would be ridiculous. It’s in your system, in your blood stream, in your lungs, and possibly still in your mouth. The most you could do is lower your breath test result by 10-20%, so if you’re close to the limit, you may be able to blow under it. If you’re stone cold drunk it won’t do more than simply make you dizzy, which could lead to you throwing up — never a good idea… Especially with an officer present — who is suspecting you have been operating under the influence! Good job, you just helped make his case for him. Also, good luck hyperventilating or exercising with the officer around. Surely he won’t notice..

Burping, belching, or regurgitating (yes I realize its on the list of things that don’t work) – Here’s the thing, the breathalyzer operator is supposed to have you under continuous observation for 15 – 20 minutes (depending on the state law). If you make an audible burp, belch, or regurgitate stomach contents periodically, the breathalyzer technician, assuming he conforms to the breathalyzer operator’s manual , must reset the 20 minute observation period — because you brought back alcohol in your stomach into your mouth. Gross, but possibly effective. The problems are that (a) s/he may not care and tell you to take the test anyway (which could be a great defense in court, especially if there is a video recording), but again, you’ve accomplished nothing at beating the test; (b) you run the risk that some of the puke or belch substances will remain in your mouth and elevate the result even after an additional 20 minutes; and (c) if you’re still digesting previous alcohol, your BAC is on the rise — more time elapsed = higher BAC. You’re just digging your grave even further and where your result may have been lower (albeit still above 0.08), you may end up with an aggravator if you blow a 0.15 or above.

Rinsing out your lungs – This is, of course, a joke. It’s the dumbest thing you can possibly think of doing (and, believe it or not, it has been tried). This is a sure way to drown yourself. DO NOT DO THIS.

There really is no “scientific” or foolproof method of going from a result above 0.08 to one below it. The best way to avoid a DUI is to not drink and drive.

How To Get Cheaper Bike Insurance For Young Drivers

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How To Get Cheaper Bike Insurance For Young Drivers – When it comes to obtaining motorcycle insurance for young drivers, there are some factors that you will need to consider. While the age of the driver is important, there is also the driving record, type of bike and other areas of consideration. There are certain ways to cut down the cost of the premium as well.

Availability of Motorcycle Insurance for young drivers:

There is young driver motorcycle insurance, and it is available for virtually every driver of that youthful age. However, a motorcycle driver with several accidents and a bad driving record may be denied for coverage under such extreme circumstances. For the most part, if you are a teenager, have a license to drive a motorcycle and a relatively clean driving record, then you should be able to obtain the insurance.

Most of the states require a motorcycle insurance, so you will need to have coverage if you expect to drive your bike. In the states where the insurance is optional, it can be of great benefit for you to get coverage in case of an accident. Statistically speaking, an 18-year-old is more likely to get into an accident than a 30-year-old. So, to ensure that you have proper coverage, it is wise to obtain motorcycle insurance.

You can choose from a number of providers like Progressive, Geico, Dairyland Cycle, Farmers, USAA and select the right package that fits your needs. It is best to choose from an established provider who offers packages that are the most affordable. Be warned however that the average motorcycle insurance cost for a young driver is considerable.

How Much is Motorcycle Insurance for a young driver?

The average motorcycle insurance for 18-year-old male with a good driving record will cost roughly $500 to $600 per year. However, many different factors need to consider to determine the exact rate that you will receive. To have a better idea of just how much you can expect to pay, you will have to take into account all the variables.

Male or Female: Generally speaking, male drivers are going to pay more for their insurance. This is because statistically speaking men are more likely to get into motorcycle accidents than women, and that includes vehicle drivers of this age.

Driving Record: This may be the most important factor when it comes to the availability and cost of your motorcycle insurance. A clean driving record will help get you the lowest rates for your insurance which will increase based on the number of accidents that you have had over the time that you have been driving.

School Record: It is a fact that the better you do in school, the lower your rates will be. This is because “A” students are less likely to be involved in accidents than “C” students. So, the better your grades, the lower your premiums will be.

However, there are ways that you can indeed lower the rates for your motorcycle insurance. By following one or more of these methods, you may be able to pay considerably less for your insurance.

Increase Deductible: This is one of the most common means to lower your rates is by increasing the out of pocket expense. The bigger the deductible, the less your insurance rates will be depending in part on the type of coverage that you have. However, you will need to have enough money saved up to cover your deductible so that you will not be caught flat-footed in the case of an accident.

Liability and Uninsured Motorist: You don’t require a comprehensive coverage on a motorcycle that you fully own. This means that you can have liability and uninsured motorist which are the minimums for most states. Comprehensive insurance is considerably more regarding premium rates than paying only liability and uninsured motorist. However, you will not have the full coverage that comprehensive policy provides.

Motorcycle Safety Course: Taking a course that is recognized by your insurance company is a great way to save money on your premiums. This can lower the motorcycle insurance for an 18-year-old considerably when completed.

Types of Coverage:

There are several types of coverage available and choosing the right one will mean paying the least amount possible when it comes to how much is motorcycle insurance for a young driver.

Comprehensive: This type of coverage means that you are covered no matter who caused the accident. You require this type of insurance if you have taken out a loan to pay for your bike, so you will want to find the right company that offers the best rates for the coverage you need.

Liability and Uninsured Motorist: This is the typical minimum coverage for most states which will ensure that the person not at fault is covered. Also, the uninsured motorist is coverage provided when the other driver is at fault but does not have insurance for their vehicle.

Collision: This is insurance that covers all costs in case of a crash which is the most common type of damage done to motorcycles.

There is also theft, roadside assistance and other forms of specialty insurance that are well suited for particular needs. For example, if you only drive your motorcycle during certain times of the year, then you can opt for seasonal or temporary insurance that only applies to the moments in which you drive. Be sure to go over your needs with your insurance agent or company to find the right package for you.

Finding the right motorcycle insurance for 18 year old drivers is not all that difficult, but the complexity does lie in the options that are available. You will need to assess the exact type of insurance needed and then find the right company that offers the best premium rates, service and dependability that you desire. All you need to do is find which policies work best for your needs.

How To Avoid California 30 Day vehicle Impound

The California Police Department is authorized to tow and store any vehicle or trailer that is required to be registered.
Vehicles may be towed for, but not limited to, the following reasons:

Stolen

Embezzled

Unregistered

Abandoned

Violation of city zoning codes/ordinances

Unlicensed driver

Driver with suspended or revoked license

Vehicle used in the commission of a crime: drunk driving, hit and run, reckless driving, other crimes such as robbery

Officers may use discretion about when to tow under specific circumstances. Certain violations require the officer to tow the vehicle. In every case where a stolen vehicle has been recovered, and it is drive-able, our officers will make every effort to contact the registered owner so they may come to the location and pick up the car, thus avoiding towing/storage fees. If the registered owner (R/O) cannot be contacted or is unable to pick up the vehicle, the vehicle will be towed. * Please be advised, officers are unable to stay at the scene for extended periods waiting for the R/O.

Vehicles will be towed and impounded for up to thirty (30) days for, but not limited to, the following reasons:

California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 22852 requires that all owners of record be notified that the vehicle has been towed and stored. It is important that vehicle owners ensure that their current address is reflected on vehicle registrations and driver’s licenses. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires that changes of address must be reported to them within 10 days. Vehicles sellers are also required to notify DMV within 10 days of the date of sale. Click here to go to the DMV’s website for more information and forms: CA Department of Motor Vehicles. The California Police Department will not be held responsible for instances where vehicle owners fail to notify DMV regarding changes of address or vehicle ownership.

How to get your towed or stored vehicle released

***THE POLICY BELOW DOES NOT APPLY TO 30 DAY IMPOUNDED VEHICLES***

You may arrange for the release of your NON-IMPOUNDED vehicle by personally bringing the following items:

Be aware, vehicles will only be released to the registered owner of the vehicle. If the R/O cannot personally come to the Police Station, a NOTARIZED letter giving permission to the specific person picking up the car is required. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact your local towing officer

Current vehicle registration

Proof of insurance

Valid driver’s license (School ID, Green Cards, Passports, Costco cards will NOT be accepted as identification or you have the right to drive a motor vehicle). If you do not have a valid driver’s license, you must bring 2 licensed drivers with you (one to drive your car and one to drive the car that brought you) to drive the vehicle from the tow yard. No exceptions will be allowed!

$114.00 in cash, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Personal checks will not be accepted.

After presenting the required documentation and paying the administrative fees, you will be provided with a release that must be presented to the towing company. You will then be required to pay additional fees related to the towing and storage of your vehicle.Helpful Suggestions

Time is money. In addition to the administrative fee, the cost of the tow is usually $185 for a routine tow. It could cost more for special circumstances or for larger vehicles, and is based on a one-way tow. The storage fees may vary by company and average about $45 per day including weekends when our office is not open to issue releases.

“After hours” pick up of your vehicle from the tow yard could cause additional fees to be added by the tow company.

Ensure you get your vehicle released promptly. Storage in excess of 45 days could result in your vehicle being sold through a lien sale. (Amount of time varies by tow company and the circumstances surrounding the storage.)

How may I contest or challenge the decision to tow my vehicle?
Per California Vehicle Code Section 22852, you have the right to contest the circumstances under which your vehicle was towed. To do so, you must request a hearing after the vehicle has been released. Contact your local Hearing Officer Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A hearing will be scheduled, documentation will be gathered and if necessary, the officers and any witnesses involved will be interviewed. Officers will not be required to attend the hearing unless the Hearing Officer seeks authorization from the Chief of Police. A decision from the Hearing Officer will be mailed to the registered owner within ten (10) days. If it is found that your vehicle was towed/stored improperly, you will be reimbursed the administrative fee and the towing and storage fees only.

I’m stuck in a loop. My vehicle won’t pass smog, is not currently registered and I can’t get it smogged because it’s stored and I need a smog certificate to get it registered. What do I do?
The registered owner of the vehicle may go to DMV and get either a Move Slip or a one month extension (Temporary Operating Permit) giving you the time to have the vehicle smogged. These documents will allow the vehicle to be released.

What do I do if my vehicle can’t be registered because I have outstanding parking tickets on my car?
The R/O must go to DMV, take care of all the outstanding parking tickets and register the vehicle.

What if I have a complaint against the company that towed/stored my vehicle?
Contact the Towing Enforcement Officer.

DUI Treatment Programs in California

DUI Treatment Programs in California – We are sorry to hear you have received a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and are here to help you avoid future incidents, and comply with the Court and Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requirements. Please review this information, enrollment in a licensed DUI program is the first step in this process.

In Your Area

DUI Programs

CADTP Organizational Members are DUI Programs licensed by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.

Your California driving privileges are suspended when charged with a DUI. According to DMV (www.dmv.ca.gov) the suspension or revocation is an immediate administrative action taken against your driving privilege. This is called Administrative Per Se (APS) and is independent of any court-imposed jail sentence, fine, or other criminal penalty you may receive when convicted for a DUI. Upon conviction for a DUI offense in California, the court may order you to complete an Alcohol and Drug Education and Counseling program provided by State-licensed service provider. Completion of this same program Is also required to be eligible to get your unrestricted license back. You may qualify to drive after a minimum 30 day suspension with a restricted license (depending on the charges and county). Enrollment in a licensed DUI

IMPORTANT NOTICE: the state of California does not recognize any online DUI course and DMV will not grant or reinstate a driver’s license without official notice from a California licensed DUI program.

DUI Program Levels

The length of the DUI Program you will be required to complete is will depend upon your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of arrests, as well as any record of prior DUI’s within the past 10-year period.

1st Offender Programs:

Wet & Reckless – BAC Below .08%

3-Month Program – BAC Below .15%

6-Month Program – BAC between 0.15%-0.19% BAC

9-Month Program- BAC of .20% or Higher

Multiple Offender Programs:

18-Month Program – More than 1 conviction in 10 yrs

30-Month Program – 3rd Violation within 10 years (limited availability)

Enrollment

The program will advise you of specifics for that agency, at minimum, you will need to bring the following: